Jean Restout

Unframed. Laid down on an old mount. Some very slight, pale fox marks, but barely noticeable. Otherwise in very good condition, the chalk strong and the blue paper unfaded.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

These studies appear to be preparatory for the head of Eurydice in Restout's painting of 1763, Orpheus in the Underworld, in the Louvre (fig. 1).¹  The scene, taken from Ovid's Metamorphosis, depicts Orpheus persuading Pluto by the beauty of his music to allow the beautiful Eurydice back to earth.  

Christine Gouzi, in her monograph on Restout, notes that the artist often used the same model for female figures in his paintings, with the same distinctive round face with a pointed chin and half-closed, heavy eyelids that we see in the present sheet.²

1. See C. Gouzi, Jean Restout 1692-1768 peintre d'histoire à Paris, Paris 2000, pp. 135, 316-7, cat. no. P.191
2. Loc.cit, p. 342